Train line coupler



Sept 27, 1932. w. H. HIDLEBAUGH 1,879,238

TRAN LNE GOUPLER Filed June 12, 1931 Q'Sheets-Sheet l l Il@ gjm/vento@ Sept- 27, 1932- w. H. HlbLl-:BAUGH I 1,879,238

. TRAIN LINE COQPLER` 12, 1931 2 Sheets-shea k2 IWW/nto@ Wzzzzebaugh,

Patented Sept. 27, 1932 WILLIAM n. HILLE'BAUGH, on nLEcrRA, TEXAS i TRAIN LINE coUyLEI; g

App1ication led .Tune 12,

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in air line couplers for rail-A Wa brake systems.

v gne object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved means for effectively forming a connection between the air line, of the couplers, when said couplers are properly brought together;

Another object is to provide a device of l0 this character wherein the outer end of the air hose of the train lineV is so constructed and arranged that it will automatically engage with a similar end `on the coupler of another car, whereby to effectively form the connection and continuation of the air passage.

Another object is to provide a device of this character wherein the air line ends are properl engaged prior to the opening of the valve o the line, whereby to prevent escape of air during the coupling operation.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: y Figure 1 is a top plan view of the coupling heads of two railway cars, embodying the present invention. Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is a horizontal longitudinal sectional view on the line 3*3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view, similar to that of Figure 3, but showing the coupling heads partly engaged.

Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on the line 5--5 of Figure .1. Referring particularly to the accompanying drawings, 10 and 11 represent two draw bars, which have in their outer ends the coupler heads 12 and 13, respectively, said coupler heads being mounted for lateral pivotal movement with relation to the draw bars, and held in centered position by the leaf springs 14, carried by the sides of the ends of the draw bars, and engaged with the Side faces of said coupler heads, as clearly shown in the drawings. The inner end of each of the coupler heads is tapered, as at 15, and is formed with a cavity or chamber 1931.Y semaine.` 543,955.

1'6, therein,-one end vof which terminates in a nipple 17, to Awhich is attached one end of the air hose 18, while `the other end is open,

as shown. The outer-end of eachcoupler head 12 andy 13 is formed with the recess`l19, 65. and the adjacent projection or nose 20. It willlbe noted that'the` recesses and -noses of the coupler heads are so arranged-that they interlock when said heads are, brought into engagement, the nose'of each .fitting into the recess of the other. Formed transverselyi-n the .rearportion of each coupfler head,.at`21, is apassage,.cylindrica1 inlcrossfsection, and communicating with the dia-metricalily `epposite sides of theintermediate portion lofV said passage `are the passages 22 and 23, the former 'extending' forwardly tocomrnunicate with 'theV L.cavity or chamber 116, and the lattereXtendi-ng rearwardly tothe Vsmaller end :of the coupler head. :Connectedto the to said :smaller end of the'coupler headis one end of van air hose \24,.theot-her end .of which extends through Lthe Adraw bar 11, :andeut through the -side thereof, where it is adapted to beconnectedto the air .l-ine, notV shown; I Mounted inleach coupler head, for..lateral pivotail Incwe'rl'ient,`- is .a hollow )member 26,

the inner end of which vhas iconnected there tonne; end ofiashortflength vof ,wir hose 27, which hose'has its other lend Asecured to Jthe saidv nippleal?. The forward end'of Leach of the ymembers 26 projects a Vshortl l.distance beyond the `nose o-fthe'coupler head, and is provided withsa roller A28,1on its V.outer lend, for engagement with the opposite-inclined ,Y wall of the recess 19, ofthe lIna-.ting ycoupler head, wherebysto cause the :lateral swinging of said member, .-a directionltoward the center of thehead, a spring 29 being 'c0n-i neetedto `said 4member and to .fa wallofthe chamber 16 to yeldabl-y maintain 1said mem# ber, in normal position` Within the frcharnber.. Each Aof the members 26 is 'hol-low, :andfhas `a lateral outlet its innerside face, adj acent thenouter l.endef the member, as .shown vat Y 30,such outlet being :prov-idedwiitha .suitable packing 31, whereby to Vform an vair-f tight joint; withthe other member, whenfthe eoaplingqheadsare properly lengaged. Dis- Y posed vertically.througheaohvcoupler head 12 100 and 13, in intersecting relation to the passage 22, is a rotary plug valve 32, having a passage 33 for register with the passage 22, to permit flow of air to the members 26, and through the air line, as will be understood. Mounted on one end of each of these valves 32 is a cam member 34, which is adapted to be engaged and rocked by a roller 35, mounted on the nose 20. It will be noted that the cams 34 of the heads 12 and 13 are arranged on the upper sides thereof, andV that `the rollers 35 are also arranged on the upper portions, for proper engagement, to rock the cams, upon engagement of the couplers. A spring 36 holds each cam 34 in place.

l In each passage 21 is disposedra rotary plug valve 37, having a transverse passage for register with the passages 22 and 23, the ends of said valve being provided with suitable operating rods 38.

Normally the valves 32 are in closed position, by the action of the springs 36, and the members 26 are held in one lateral position by their springs 29. Vhen the coupler heads are brought together, the nose of each enters the recess of the other, while the rollered end of each member 26 enters the chamber 16 o the other head, so as to engage its roller with the inclined wall of said chamber, and thereby be shifted to one side, against the tension of their springs 29. This movement of the members 26 brings their packed outlets into firm Contact with each other, whereby to establish a continuous passage through these members. Subsequent to the contact of the packed outlets of the members 26, the rollers 35 engage the cams 34, and rock them, against the tension of their springs said inclined wall, upon mating of said coupling heads, whereby to register the laterally opening ends of the swingable members of said coupling heads to form a continuous air passagel therethrough.

In testimony whereof, I aiiix my signature.

WILLIAM H. HIDLEBAUGI-I.

whereby to rotate the valves 32 so as to regis- 'Y ter their transverse passages with the passages 22 and 23, and thus establishk a. complete channel for the air of the air line. When the coupler heads are pulled apart, the cams 311 are released from the rollers, whereby to close the valves 32, prior to the separation of the members 26, so that there will be no danger of escape of air from the train line, which would otherwise reduce the pressure to an extent sufficient to apply the brakes.

' What is claimed is:

1 An air line coupler comprising mating coupling heads each having a recess opening through its outer end and a longitudinal air passage through the other end communicating with said recess, a wall of said recess being inclined, a laterally swingable member in the recess having a longitudinal air passage opening through an end and a side thereof, means for holding said member in its normal outward position, the air passage at the end of said member being connected with the adjacent end of the air passage of the head, and ay roller on the outer end of said member for engagement with 

